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Hi all, Long time no posts! This is my first solo trip out following being diognosed with multiple pulmonary embolisms (blood clots on the lungs) and a stay in hoseptal. I had been out with the wife to a couple of places (Folkestone, Seaford and Ramsgate) but I needed to get back to being out on my own doing what I really enjoy.
An early start was had with the walk to East Croydon. A few weeks ago this was almost impossible due to the breathing issues. I took it very easy and slowly and made it for my first train of the day.
9R02 East Croydon to St Pancras Internationl 700122 non winner (13m 40ch)
It's not scenic in anyway but it was a lovely trip. No idiot playing music, no children shouting and nobody making pointless phonecalls. All was quiet. On time at St. Pancras which left me a good amount of time to carry on my usual tradition of a Greggs. A little treat for myself today I had a Sausage and bacon baggette instead of a roll. Then it was time to walk to Euston and again a nice slow stroll.
In Euston there was the sleeper stock with 92038 on the stops and 92033 on the other end. My train was to depart platform 4.
9G04 Euston to Birmingham New Street 390138 non winner (112m 73ch).
The trip was uneventful and quiet. Arriving in to New Street the train was just 2 minutes late. I had about an hour to wait for my next train as the previous one left as mine arrived. I looked on this as a good thing. I did pop out of the gatelines and get a photo of Ozzy.
I have spent a few hours in the years gone by "spotting" at New Street. Gone are the days of the class 31s, 47s, 37, 86s and 87s. Now it is mostly the new class 730s, 196s 390s, 807s, and the Cross Country 220s, 221s and 170s. Ahh the memories.
I was amusing watching the young Birmingham City fans having their booze confiscated from them before the boarded the train to Derby. What did not impress me was teh BTP officer that poured a can or two of beer on to the platform and his mate pouring others on to the track! Finally it was time for my train at 09:26!
2J10 Birmingham New Street to Willenhall 196107 winner [12m 37ch]
Willenhall: Opened on Thursday 19th April 2026 the station is, what I term as a Copy/Paste, station. Concrete platforms with metal constructed walls and roofing. The station is about 60% covered with a very decent looking footbridge and lift. I didn't use the lift in case. About 15 or so people got off and a similar number got on proving that "If you build it - They will come". Willenhall has a lovely murial on one of the plators by a local artist depicting 'locks' which is what Willenhall is famed for. I never knew that! My next train would take me to my next new station.
2G08 Willenhall to Darlaston 196114 winner [1m 45ch]
Darlaston: A duplicate of Willenhall to be fair but with a huge car park. As some YouTubers have pointed out it does feel like a park and ride. On the Birmingham direction of the station and on the other side of the road (aptly named Cemetary Road) is what looks to a vast cemetery called James Bridge Cemetary. On the Wolverhampton direction side of the station is an industrial area. What did intrigue me was the sign next to the lift. [ADD PHOTO HERE}
Is Darlaston prone to flooding?
Did no one investigate this before building?
I haven't found an answer yet"
2J12 Darlaston to Wolverhampton 196103 winner [4m 44ch]
Arriving at Wolverhampton I needed food. So the short walk to Westherspoons which was not too bad. Well apart from the gang of middle aged women already "merry" and rather too loud. I decided to give cider a miss this time (shock / horror). Having eaten I contemplated whether to get a train in to New Street or take the oppotunity to tick off the current West Midlands Metro lines. I chose the later!
West Midlands metero operate 42 CAF Urbos 3 trams. over teh 14 mile network. It currently (March 2026) operates between Edgbaston Village and Wolverhampton Station & St. Georges. There are expansion plans for a line to the HS2 station at Curzon Street. This extension will branch off at Bull Street. Another extension is planned and, like the Curzon Street one, is under construction from Wednesbury Parkway to Stourbridge. Two other potential extensions are a loop at Woverhampton and a line from Curzon Street to Birminghan International and Coventry. (see the image below)
Wolverhampton Station to Edgbaston Village 49 winner [14m 12ch].
The trams get crowded in fact my one had standing room only until Grand Central. Once at Edgbaston I stayed on the tram back to Grans Central.
Edgbaston Village to Grand Central 49 non winner [1m 18ch].
Back on to New Street station for my trip back home. I'd looked at various trains back on RTT and settled for the 13:21.
1B46 Birmingham New Street to Euston 807004 winner [112m 73ch].
Another uneventful trip to London was also bang on time. A slow walk, as that's all I can manage, to St Pancras.
9J42 St Pancras International to East Croydon 700142 non winner [13m 40ch]
Then
2J42 East Croydon to Selhurst 377312, 377326 non winners [0m 77ch]
